Off the Shelf 0708-2

Uglies

By Scott Westerfeld
© 2005

The first book in a fascinating new trilogy, this story is a cross between a futuristic society and unchanging human elements of emotion.

Tally, like all uglies, will turn pretty on her 16^th birthday. The pretties have it all – clothes, parties, fun, and no worries about beauty – what more could a teenager want? Tally reconsiders those questions when she is forced to look at another side of the pretty world. Reminiscent of the “Stepford Wives,” Tally discovers what ugly really is – and it is not just limited to altering of physical appearance!

The story line alone is out of the ordinary, but it would also be an interesting connection to standard high school curriculum in the form of

• psychology (principles of social and developmental, in addition to physiological)
• history (reference to the “Rusties” indicate the previous civilization dependent on oil and trade),
• communication (various electronic devices in addition to face-to-face), and
• environmental science (key aspects of reduce, reuse, and recycle, as well as factors of extinction).

Get ready for the next two in the triology: Pretties and Specials!

My recommendation: 4 ½ out of 5 stars
Submitted by M. Coleman, Media Specialist